Kingston, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 332 § 332-5
Application for search warrants
Operative Text
At the request of the Building Department, the Corporation Counsel is authorized to make application to the City Court of the City of Kingston or any other court of competent jurisdiction for the issuance of a search warrant to be executed by a police officer in order to conduct an inspection of any premises believed to be subject to the registry jurisdiction of this article. The Building Department may seek a search warrant whenever the owner and/or managing agent fails to allow inspections of any dwelling unit contained in the rental property where there is a reasonable cause to believe that there is a violation of this article or a violation of the New York Uniformed Fire Prevention Building Code Act or of any code of the City of Kingston or any applicable fire code.
Section 332-5 of Kingston's Code of Ordinances establishes a legal mechanism by which city officials can obtain court authorization to inspect rental properties. When an owner or managing agent refuses to allow an inspection, the Building Department can request that the Corporation Counsel apply to Kingston City Court—or another court of competent jurisdiction—for a search warrant, which is then executed by a police officer. This authority applies when there is reasonable cause to believe a violation of the rental registry article, the New York Uniform Fire Prevention Building Code Act, or any applicable Kingston city or fire code exists on the premises.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 332-5, property owners and managing agents who refuse Building Department inspections of rental units may trigger a formal warrant process. Compliant operators generally cooperate with scheduled or requested inspections, since obstruction can lead to the Corporation Counsel seeking a court-issued search warrant executed by law enforcement. Maintaining open communication with the Building Department and keeping properties accessible for inspection is consistent with the obligations outlined in this section.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 332-5 provides a mechanism that can benefit tenants living in rental units where code violations may exist but inspections have been blocked by an owner or managing agent. If a landlord refuses to allow the Building Department to inspect, the city has the authority to pursue a court-ordered search warrant to gain access and investigate potential violations of housing, fire, or building codes. Tenants who believe conditions in their unit may constitute a code violation can contact the Kingston Building Department directly or reach out to a local tenant-rights organization to learn more about how this provision may apply to their situation.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 7, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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